While Brian Cashman seems to be looking far and wide for a setup man to help his ailing bullpen, maybe the Yankees general manager should check across town. Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez told the Daily News Thursday that he would not rule out a change in roles to go to a contending team such as the Yankees.

“If I am going to be traded, obviously I want the opportunity to close out games, but if it’s going to be good teams like the Yankees or the Rays, and it’s going to be for two months, I can go out there and help them out,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez has a clause in his contract where he has a $17.5 million option kick in if he finishes 55 games this year so trading him to a team that already has an established closer makes sense so the Yankees are a fit right away.

Now whether or not the Yankees and Mets can work out a deal is another thing. Rodriguez obviously has off the field issues that may scare some away, even the Yankees, and he is owed the remainder of his $11.5 million salary this season so he isn’t exactly cheap either. Brian Cashman said the other day when he was denying Jose Reyes rumors that even though a deal with the Mets is rare, he is open to it.

So the biggest hurdle is going to be finding a way for the two sides to work together. The Yankees aren’t going to want to give up a lot in the way of prospects, the last thing they want is to see somebody flourish in Flushing for a two-month rental reliever. At the same time, the Mets should have offers from other teams and won’t take less to send him to the Yankees. If anything, they might want more. That’s what makes this entire thing complicated.

The Yankees are looking for a setup man and the Mets don’t want to get stuck with paying K-Rod $17.5 million next season so something could very well happen. It won’t be easy though.

About Rob Abruzzese

Rob Abruzzese created Bronx Baseball Daily in 2008 just before graduating from Brooklyn College. He currently serves BBD as its editor and works as a reporter at the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Follow Rob on Twitter @RobAbruzzese.

Acquiring this a-hole would severely test my life long loyalty to the New York Yankees. When Bonds still played F Rod was my second worst player in baseball but now that Baroid is out of the game, there's nobody I hate more than Rodriguez. I think he's a cocky punk that I'm not all that impressed with as a pitcher. He's wild as hell and we don't need that. I'd rather get anyone than this guy and I mean anyone. For my money, David Robertson is the best set up guy around anyway. I pray to God the Yanks have no interest in trading for this slug.

WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO SORIANO???? Is he done??? What a waste of money he was if we are looking for another effing setup man. It goes to show you that once Mariano retires, he needs to be inducted in the HOF the very next day.